What are Cops' wives made of?

I recently saw heard this from a wife of another police officer and LOVED it...so I thought I would share it!!

WHAT ARE COPS' WIVES MADE OF?

What are cops' wives made of?

Sugar and spice and everything nice??

Most definitely! But there is so much more!

The best of the best is what they are!

They are made of patience... in order to survive the profession and all that it entails.

Flexibility... for the times that personal plans get changed unexpectedly because duty calls.

Comfort... he needs that after critical incidents.

Thanks, Amber!!!

Resourcefulness... in order to manage the household when he's working

long hours.

Wisdom... for handling his "take charge", "control the incident" personality.

Thick-skinned... for dealing with uninformed citizens and media.

Understanding... to provide a listening ear when things are rough for him at work.

Courage... to be frank with him when he needs it.

Faith... to overcome the fear of something happening to him.

Admiration... to build him up and override the criticism he gets from the public.

A Praying Heart... to cover him with protection and keep him on the right path.

A Playful Spirit... to get his mind off of work for awhile.

Humor... because you both need to laugh.

And Love... which covers all sins, is unconditional, and will protect your marriage.

Birthdays and Easter

Today I am missing my grandpa. It is the first holiday without his smiling face in our presence. I had my first dream about him since he has gone to heaven a couple of nights ago. When I saw him in my dream, he was beautiful. He was healthy and he was smiling. He was glowing. He didn't talk in my dream...he didn't do anything except stand there, smiling. I remember the first thing I did when I woke up was thank God for that picture of him. I think it is finally hitting me that he is no longer with us. I realized this on Colton's birthday. My grandpa adored my son...he loved him so incredible much and just thought he was the best thing. It was hard to swallow the fact he wouldn't be there to celebrate Colton's birthday with us. He wouldn't be there across the table for our Easter dinner. I was thankful though to have my grandma with us. She is a strong woman. I know Grandpa is with Jesus...but I still miss him and selfishly wish he was still with us.

This weekend was a wonderful weekend of celebrations...We celebrated Colton's birthday on Saturday with family. During the party I kept finding myself thanking God for the family and friends he has blessed our little family of 4 with. It meant the world to us that they would spend their Saturday celebrating the birth of our son. Colt did a wonderful job, despite the teething and the no nap. Hayden did great as well...of course she had a hard time when it came to the presents...she takes after her mom:) Silly girl. Colt got completely spoiled, which is no surprise with these people! Thanks mom and dad for letting us invade your home for the party!!!

Today is Easter, the day our King rose from the dead. We celebrated by visiting the Granger Community Church that is located in Elkhart. And by we I mean...Nic, me, and the kids. That's right...Nic had the day off!!!! It was wonderful! We went to my parent's to eat with the family. Hayden enjoyed searching for Easter eggs and LOVED putting them in her little basket. Colt was just happy with a basketball in his hand. This evening we had Starla and Brooke over for dinner and a fire...which I am sitting at right now...it is peaceful out here. It is a time to reflect on the meaning of Easter. I know a lot of people celebrate this holiday with an Easter bunny, eggs, egg hunts, Easter baskets, and so on...but I pray that we will never forget the real meaning of Easter. I thank God for sending His son to die for us, for our sins, and then rise again. I thank God for his promises...I thank God for the promise that one day, He will come and get His children and take us to heaven with Him...I can't wait!

Happy Birthday, Sweet Son

HAPPY BIRTHDAY, COLTON ROBERT!

Exactly a year ago, I was holding my baby boy for the first time...all 6 pounds and 3 ounces of him. A year ago today our lives changed from a 3 person family to a 4 person family. A year ago today, I fell in love with my baby boy.

Dear Colton,

I still can't believe I am already writing your 1-year birthday letter. That's right, you have been in our lives for a WHOLE year. When I think over your first year of life, I can't help but smile and thank God for His wonderful blessings you have brought to our lives. I love you sweet, sweet boy.

This past month has flown by. Maybe that is because you are on the GO constantly! You are the fastest little crawler that I have EVER seen! You crack me up every time too because you will crawl, pivot, crawl, pivot, and laugh the entire time.

You laugh...all the time. Mostly at your sister. You have a beautiful smile, which makes everyone around you smile. When you smile, your eye brows go up, your eyes get big, and your smile reaches from ear to ear.

You have such a personality. You want to keep up with your sister, but at the same time you are your very own person. All you need is some sort of ball to chase around the house and you are the happiest little boy ever. You are a little impatient if someone is not paying attention to you, and you aren't afraid to let us know...you are a little loud! Your face turns red and it's almost like a little growl! I have a feeling that you are going to be a talker:) You babble all the time, like you know exactly what you are saying.

You still only have 6 teeth, but that doesn't hold you back from your food. You will not have anything to do with baby food. You want what we eat, whether it is pizza, chicken, green beans, tacos, spaghetti, you get the point. Speaking of spaghetti, you had your first experience with those stinkin' noodles a couple nights ago...let's just say it looked like your sister decorated you from head to toe in noodles! But you liked it, the little amount that actually made it to your mouth.

If you aren't chasing balls, you are chasing Hayden everywhere. You love her...even though I have to rescue you most days from getting shoved to the ground. You have started trying to get revenge when I am changing her....you pull her hair while she is down. You try to do everything she does and you go along with everything she does...like squirting the whole bottle of Diaper Rash Cream on the hallway floor, smearing it all over each other...top of head to your toes...all over the floor, and even made it to the walls. When I caught you, you both just smiled as if to say, "look mom!" Needless to say, it took a couple of baths and scrubs to even get it off and out of your hair. I have a feeling you two are going to be partners in crime.

YOU ARE STANDING! You want nothing to do with walking, but you love to stand, and then fall. You think it is the funniest thing. Then, when we laugh, it is like it encourages you to keep doing it.

You are still sleeping through the night...you even sleep in later than Hayden. Not much longer because she likes to come in your room to wake you up! You are still taking only one nap that lasts about 2 hours.

You sure know your momma. Whenever I am gone and then walk through the door, you smile your Colton smile, then crawl as fast as you can to me and open your arms for me to pick you up. I love it...so very much. You melt my heart. I love to go in your room each morning and see you smiling and reaching for me.

Sweet boy, I pray for you every day. I pray, pray, pray. I pray that you will always keep that smile that goes from ear to ear. I still pray that you will grow up to love God whole-heartedly. I still pray that you will always keep your heart opened....that you won't let anything or anyone harden it. I pray that you love people. I pray that you look for the best in people. I pray that you dream and follow those dreams. I pray that you never settle. I pray for pureness. I pray for happiness...a life filled with laughter. I pray for your health. I pray that God will use your father and I as instruments to bring you and your sister up in a Godly household. Not only do I pray for these things, I thank God for everything about you. I am thankful for your personality. I am thankful for your health, I am thankful for the joy you have brought to our lives. I am thankful that you are my son. I am thankful for God allowing me to be your mother.

Know that you are, and always will be loved...ALWAYS.

Happy Birthday, baby boy!

Love you always,

Mommy

How old are you? 1!!

Go ahead...make fun of the hat! I still love it! Haha! He was thrilled!

Happy Birthday, Sarah

So, a little less than a month ago we celebrated one of my best friend's birthday...my sister, Kristen. Well, today is another special birthday...my other best friend and sister. Meet Sarah...

Sarah-just so you know, I tried putting a picture of you and Adam on here...but stupid facebook wouldn't let me:(

You have heard about her many times...I do like to brag about my sisters quite often. Sarah was born 7 years later than me...some may call it an "oops," my dad calls it tricking my mom. Anyways, I always thought of myself as Sarah's little mother. I loved to take care of her, hold her, make her laugh, and just love her. Believe it or not I potty trained her...now don't ask why at 9/10 years old I can potty train someone when, now at 26, I can't potty train my own daughter. Funny thing. Growing up, I was very protective of my baby sister. She was (and still is) very innocent (too innocent for her own good), very quiet and shy, and too kind. I felt like it was my job to stick up for her...well Jenn Goethel helped in that area, and did everything in my might not to let people hurt her. I told you I felt like a little mom to her. Sometimes my big mouth got me in lots of trouble protecting my sisters...even as an adult. I have always been proud of my sister, for her accomplishments and for the way she lives her life. She, like Kristen, believes the the best in everyone. She lives her life striving after God. She is a prayer warrior. Sometimes I like to pretend that I am the one that taught my sisters everything they know and the way they live their lives...but somehow I think I just taught them what NOT to do...and that is why BOTH of them got the Fruit of the Spirit award and I got NOTHING! Well, at least I can say that my brother didn't either:) Love you Adam!

If you know Sarah, you know that she is kind, full of compassion, is always happy and smiling (which makes me sick), beautiful both inside and out, funny, and much more. She loves people and she loves God. She lives her life wanting to know God more. She is mature for her age. She is special and one of a kind, therefore I am protective...so Adam...you best be on your best behavior...:) Hehe! Just kidding (not really). She lights up a room wherever she goes just by the smile on her face. She is always thinks about everyone else's best interest, she is loyal and trustworthy...you can't get a single secret out of her when she is sworn to secrecy...trust me...I have tried everything!

Well, all this to say, HAPPY BIRTHDAY SWEET SISTER!!! I hope your day is filled with laughter and blessings. Love you more than you know!! I am VERY proud of you!!

Life...and Beautiful Weather!

What a week it has been! But the funny thing is, when I look back at it, I am not sure I accomplished anything!! I take that back…I did clean the floors…and table...which is a HUGE accomplishment for me! Below is a reason why...

Here was last week in a run down…(now, this is kind of boring, so consider yourself warned and remember this is just for me to remember years from now!)

Monday-Volunteered at a church in Mishawaka for the Twice as Nice Resale, which was fun…but a lot of work. I have to give a lot of credit for the women that run those things! I would have been SO overwhelmed and would have hid in a corner and cried…but they handled everything so perfect and in control. Aunt Steph and Nana watched the little babes for me and I know Hayden always loves it because she gets so much attention! Nic had a neighborhood watch meeting in the evening so we took the kids with us since it was a school. The kids and I played, and played, and played on the swing set. Can I just tell you that my little girl is one of those kids that I couldn’t stand to watch at recess in fear of them getting hurt? She climbs to the highest slides, swings herself across things, and is just crazy! She had fun though so that is all that matters…and she didn’t get hurt! Bubby had fun as well on the swings and going down slides and chasing his ball around. It was just sooooo beautiful I didn’t want the day to end. I noticed this day that it is staying lighter longer and I LOVE IT!

Notice what Iris is doing with Hayden's cup...

Now notice where the cup is...awesome...

Tuesday-We took the kids to Jason’s baseball game at Westview, which meant they were in heaven…they were able to run around and enjoy the outdoors. And once again, it was a beautiful day so it was VERY enjoyable! We then went back to the Rahn’s house and attempted to eat 4 extra large pizzas, yes you read that right! HAHA!! Whit was so hungry and Mancinos had a deal where you buy one pizza and get one free…so she felt like that would be sufficient for us!! We stayed up WAY too late, but had a lot of laughs. We were even like old couples and played cards. I love how on I Love Lucy they always played cards so I felt like we were in the olden days and had card night…hehe.

Wednesday- Nic actually had a WHOLE day off (well, except for working a couple hours at the bank) so we met mom for lunch, walked around Walmart and Best Buy. We ended up buying one of those things that goes on the back of your bike for the kids to ride in for Colton’s birthday. That evening we got our bikes out, wheels pumped, and the little trailer thing attached and headed out for a family bike right. Hayden LOVED it, Bubby liked it, and I smiled…a lot. We rode to Flavor Freeze for dinner. I loved this day and was so thankful for this day because we got to be together as a family.

Hayden trying a lemon...and lovin it.

Colton stuffing his precious face.

Thursday- I subbed for the first time since I stopped teaching…it was a little bittersweet…especially since it was in the grade I used to teach. I kind of laughed to myself when I opened the sub letter because I still remember all the lessons. It felt good to be back in the classroom and be surrounded by second graders. I really enjoy that age. I enjoyed standing in front of them teaching them how to present their essays, read thermometers, and cause and effect. It felt natural. But…I was very anxious to get home to my babies when I was finished at the end of the day. My parents watched the kids and I was very grateful for that. We ended the day by going to Sonics with mom and dad.

Friday- I took the dog to Wakarusa to the people where she was bred. They wanted her for the weekend to show her at a festival. If you ask me, I don’t know why because she is pretty dumb…but they still wanted her and I didn’t complain. Then I drove the kids to mom and dad’s where they stayed while Nic and I went to Kalamazoo for the night. I was very excited about our time away, not because we wouldn’t have the kids, but because as a couple, you need time to reconnect as husband and wife and to actually have adult conversations that are not interrupted or consist of kid talk….on that note…the first thing we did when we got to the hotel was…TOOK A NAP!! We didn’t wake up until dinner time. We ate at Olive Garden and then just relaxed the rest of the night. It was wonderful.

Saturday- Got up, ate breakfast, headed home for the babes. We spend all afternoon at my parents and spent some time with Sarah. Mom and dad-thanks SOOO much for watching the kids. I know they can be handful so we truly appreciate it. Oh…and my wonderful mother got my daughter the movie Tangled….we watched it 3…not once or twice, but 3 times….we fell asleep to it…and woke up to it.

Sunday- Nic had today off as well which meant we went grocery shopping! Ha! Is it bad that I get excited about something so little as going to the grocery store together? We also had a family nap, which was AWESOME! Colton and I went to Tara’s house for her diaper party (and to socialize) when we woke up. And guess what?! He stood several times!!! I was a proud momma! We watched that movie 3 more times today…thanks mamaw.

Below is a picture of Hayden at the creek right by our house. I used to sit at this spot before Hayden was born to think and pray a lot.

Well this next week is a very special week...Colton turns 1 YEARS OLD...Sarah turns 19...so there will be lots of celebrating....and lots of tears because my baby boy is growing up so fast and he will be graduating soon and leaving me.

THERE YOU ARE SUN!!

What a B-E-A-U-TIFUL day it is here! What a blessing to wake up to the sun shining and the weather already warming my skin when I walk out to the car. I was actually sweating when I was out with the kids! It was a great feeling! We have spent most of the day outside and Hayden is pretty much in heaven. She is in her element when she is running around free with the wind blowing through her hair. Colton loved it too! He chased his ball around. Today was also a special day because it was Whitney's baby shower. I can't believe in less than a month little Brigham will be here! As I was watching her open her presents with anticipation, I couldn't help but thank God for a friend like her. Nic and I have been blessed with her and Jason's friendship.

I got to see both of my sisters this weekend...not together...but still! I took the kids over to my parents yesterday and spent the day with my mom and Kristen and Nic joined us after work. Kristen should have been studying, but let's face it...nothing really gets done when me and my crazy kids are around! Sarah was at the shower, so I got to talk with her a little bit and spend time with her! I can't believe she will be 19 years in a couple of weeks...my baby sister is growing up:(

Ok, now let me vent for a minute.

Can I just tell you how upset it makes me when people complain about cops? Yes, I know sometimes they can be jerks, I am not blind to that fact. But I think the reason why I get so dang upset is because people don't understand AT ALL what comes with the job, I don't even understand fully. But do people realize these "bad, rude, cops" have families that worry like crazy over them when they have to step foot outside of our safe home so they can protect others and put their life on the line every day? Do people realize what they deal with on a day to day basis? No, I don't think they do. Do people realize how hard it is for the people who love these men/ladies to hear about others totally bashing them?

Again, I realize that sometimes cops aren't exactly the nicest people, but if you don't want to deal with them or their attitudes, then don't speed or do something you know is against the law. I am not saying that I don't speed sometimes but if I get pulled over, I know I deserve it. If you don't want to buckle your seat belt, then don't complain when you get a ticket.

Like I said, I will be the first person to say they aren't the nicest at times, trust me, I have been in the car many of times while pulling people over. But if you are honest with yourself, sometimes it is the people getting pulled over that starts with attitude. Anyways, I am not trying to be rude or anything, just remember that when you want to run your mouth about a cop, not to do it around me. I am a little protective if you couldn't tell:) I am a police officer's wife...that's how I am.

Ok, I just had to get that off my chest because this is something I have been struggling with since the moment Nic first became a police officer.

Ummm...April already?

Can you believe that we are already 8 days into April? I know it is only 8 days, but for some reason I am having a hard time remembering those 8 days...is that normal? We are now on Friday, the last day of the week and for the life of me I seriously am having a hard time remembering Mon-Fri morning! I guess that is why I like to blog...because I forget everything not even a week later and I need something to remind me of this crazy life! Ha! From what I do remember, the weather hasn't been all that nice, which was a bummer because I really had plans to take all 4 kids to the park for a picnic, take walks, play outside, and just enjoy the weather. Even though the kids still went out to play, it was overcast and kinda chilly. But they were having fun, so I guess all is well! It has been a little strange this week...in a good way though. Having 4 kids has been an adjustment-making sure everyone is fed...and fed some more, keeping track on who went out and who stayed inside, going from room to room trying to make it look decent over and over, finally giving up on that and having to put my "clean freak" mode away for a few days, and all the other duties of taking care of a 1 year old, a 2 1/2 year old, a 5 year old, and a 7 year old. All of this and trying to run my business was quite the challenge...but also a blessing. I was able to stand and work on my own time and when the house wasn't in total chaos! BUT...it has also been a lot of fun to have the age groups of the grades I used to teach around again. The girls are SO much fun and I just love having them around. They are the sweetest girls and make my heart smile. They are so helpful with the kids and the dog and have the manners that I hope my kids have as they grow. They are patient with my kids...which sometimes isn't easy. I will miss hearing them running through the house laughing!

Here are some of the highlights from the week (these I do remember!)

Tuesday- We needed out of the house, so we met my life long friend, Sarah Scheuer and her little boy, Ronan (who I used to babysit), at McDonalds so the kids could run wild and us adults could talk...well...play and talk!

Wednesday- We stayed home, hoping to go to the park, but the weather wouldn't allow us to. We watch Romona and Beezus instead! We colored, painted, and played. Nic and I watched Switch when the kids went to bed...it felt like a date...even though we were in our own house! I cherished the time though:) We also saw 4 dear in our backyard when we were going to bed! and YES...this is a highlight!

Thursday- Tara brought the little boy she babysits over with Hannah and her sister Maddy. The girls LOVED having another younger person around! We were able to go outside for a little bit, which the kids loved. My parents were AWESOME and watched the kids for us last night while we ventured to Huntington to watch Adam, Sarah's special "friend", play baseball.

Friday- Started off the day with a dance party in the kitchen during breakfast to some children's Bible songs...it brought back some wonderful memories of church from when I was younger. Sarah and Ronan are coming over again today so I am excited about that! I get to share some products with her and I am stoked!! They just bought their own house and I get to share about the cleaners. I also get to go to a little party tonight to hear Sonja (who joined the team a couple months ago) share her passion with other ladies tonight!

So that was a shortened version of our week!

On another note, I have rekindled my love for reading lately. Unfortunately, I don't have the time I used to...so I make the time...usually after the kids are asleep and read until the wee hours of the morning (yes, I know it's my fault for being tired). I have always loved Christian romance novels and am a complete sap. It is so easy for me to jump into a book, like I know the characters personally. It's like I enter a whole new world. This will sound sooo stupid, but I seriously get so emotional when I read my books...when the character is upset, I am upset, when they are happy, I laugh to myself. I know, I am a complete nerd! Anyways, there is a series that I read before Hayden was born and I just reread them because I fell in love with the characters. They are Christian fiction, but are suspenseful. It is called The O'Malley Series by Dee Henderson. I have also been reading other books from other authors that my mom suggested. I was laughing to myself last night because I just finished another book and I have found a common thread through the last 4 books that I have read. The girl characters are always poor, come from a bad background, and are the ones being pursued. The guy characters are always wealthy and totally in love with these girls...too perfect if you ask me. But yet I still read and read until its done.

So...the other day Nic had some training and came home to inform me that he has a book that I need to read. I got real excited because I thought, "finally, he understands my love for books." He held up the book and it said, "I Love a Cop." Hmm...I don't think this falls in the same category as my mushy Christian fiction romance books. But, I smiled and said, "thanks. I will get right on that." So, it looks like my next book is going to inform me how to love my husband. I know it is important to him that I read this book, so I will. Goodbye mushy gushy fake love stories for now...I am on my way to learn how to love my cop:)

Not so interesting post:)

Well, well...I can hardly believe that it is April already. The birth month of my baby boy. Seriously?! Nic and I ordered Colt's invitations, ordered the paper products and decorations and are going to be ordering the cake soon. Can't believe the planning has started. And let me tell ya, planning a birthday party for a boy is SO different than planning one for a girl. It is a bittersweet month because while I love watching my son grow and learn new things everyday, it still reminds me is a year old. When I was first pregnant with Hayden I lost count of people telling me how fast the time goes and to take in every moment of every day. You don't realize what they are talking about until you hold your baby for the first time. I know my children are only 2 1/2 and almost 1, but I feel like the first year of both of their lives just flew by. I have been so blessed and am just so thankful that God has given me the opportunity to be a mother.

Ok, breathe, Tori, breathe.

Anyways, nothing really interesting has been happening in the Minder household. Thursday and Friday I had the opportunity to share with 2 moms about Shaklee, which was fun. They are both girls that I went to high school with and really haven't seen since then. They are both now married and have kids so it was so fun to catch up and talk about life. This weekend we just kind of relaxed and watched basketball...well...kind of. The Spivey's came over on Saturday night and Tara and I were too busy talking and bathing/feeding/changing/playing with kids to actually pay attention to the game...but let me tell ya, it was fun and filled with laughter. Colton and Hannah are already getting snapshots for their future wedding slide show...they will kill us later, but for now the moms are loving it.

Sunday I took the kids to church (Hayden didn't cry when I dropped her off to her class!!) and then went to brunch with my parents and grandma. I had met with Sheena and Sonja to map out our goals for the next month and am just so excited to watch them grow. I have been learning so much from them. In the evening Nic and I were able to see Starla and Brooke for dinner, which was fun considering we don't get to see Brooke that often.

It is now Monday. This week is going to be crazy busy, but I am looking SOOO forward to it!! It is Spring Break for a lot of my friends, so I am going to be able to spend some time with them. I also am going to be watching 2 girls this week which I am so excited about. Their father works with Nic and their mom has become a great friend over the last couple of years. The girls are 5 and 7 and are SO much fun. For one, they have manners, which makes it easy and just have fun. For two (is that even a saying?), they like my children and are great with them...even when Hayden can get on their nerves...they are gentle with them. For three, they don't take much to entertain...they are content. We have been coloring, stamping, playing outside, playing in the playroom, making the couches into a jungle gym, eating, and watching TV. Hopefully it will be nice the rest of the week so we can go to the park and get out of the house.

Nic will be working a lot again this week with over time and working at the bank, so hopefully I won't have any of my weekly melt downs:)

Ok, I better go check on all the kiddos.